was altered by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was altered by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been changed or modified by a specific agent or factor. Example: "The original document was altered by the editor to improve clarity and coherence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reuters now believes the bottom picture was altered by KCNA".

The Guardian

Marriage was altered by Eleanor's discovery of FDR's affair with Lucy Mercer, her secretary, in 1918.

The New Yorker

For Towne's entire life was altered by that single trip to Rome.

The Guardian - Arts

The first set was altered by three minutes of sudden and unexpected brilliance.

The Guardian - Sport

About 1730 the appearance of half the island was altered by volcanic eruptions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was odd to see how the rat was altered by Halloween.

The New York Times

Trade balance was altered by the utilisation of planted forests.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Metabolite profile was altered by both [CO2] and physiological age.

Advances in Space Research

Earlier today, The Harvard Crimson's website was altered by an unauthorized user.

TechCrunch

None of these outcomes was altered by cerclage placement.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Milk fatty acid profile was altered by treatment.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was altered by", ensure the agent or cause of the alteration is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was altered by" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb can be used. For example, instead of "The text was altered by John", consider "John altered the text."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was altered by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a change due to an external agent. This structure is commonly used to emphasize the result of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was altered by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe a change caused by a specific agent. While versatile, it is most common in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts and carries a neutral to formal tone. When using the phrase, clarity is key—ensure the cause of the alteration is clearly stated. Consider more direct verb choices in simple sentences to avoid redundancy. If you want to create diversity in writing you could use the proposed list of alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was modified by

This alternative uses a synonym for "altered", maintaining a similar level of formality.

was changed by

This option offers a more straightforward and common synonym for "altered".

was transformed by

This phrase suggests a more significant or dramatic change than "altered".

was influenced by

This indicates a less direct or forceful change, implying a shaping effect.

was affected by

This alternative suggests an impact or consequence rather than a direct modification.

was impacted by

Similar to "affected by", this phrase is sometimes considered less formal.

underwent alteration due to

This option rephrases the sentence to emphasize the process of alteration.

experienced a change because of

This alternative uses a more descriptive and less concise phrasing.

was adjusted by

This implies a slight or fine-tuned modification.

was revised by

This suggests a careful and deliberate modification, often in writing or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "was altered by" in a sentence?

Use "was altered by" to indicate that something underwent a change due to an external factor. For example, "The document was altered by the new regulations."

What's the difference between "was altered by" and "was modified by"?

While similar, "altered" often suggests a more significant change than "modified". "Modified" can imply a slight adjustment, while "altered" often implies a fundamental change.

Are there any formal alternatives to "was altered by"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was revised by" or "was transformed by" for a more formal tone.

Is "was altered by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was altered by" is a grammatically correct passive construction in English. It follows the standard subject-verb-agent order in passive voice.